How to Become a Notary Public in Delaware

It will cost $60 for a new or renewing Notary Public two-year term and $90 to renew with a four-year term.

Supply package prices vary among vendors. New Notaries may need more how-to assistance than experienced Notaries. Books, training and live expert assistance are often must-haves for most new Notaries.

Some vendors may package items with additional fees — processing fees for example. Training can be included in package prices for new Notaries, although the quality of education can vary. Some providers offer their own Notary courses while others do not have the on-staff expertise to develop and support educational content. Several vendors offer Notaries live question and answer support, and others are not able to offer such assistance.

It can take one to two weeks to become commissioned as a Notary Public in Delaware depending on your availability and the time the Secretary of State needs to process your application.

A Notary's first term is two years, but renewing Notaries may request a two-year or four-year term renewal.

A Notary Public applicant in Delaware must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Maintain legal residence in the state of Delaware, or be a non-resident who works in Delaware
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.
• Be able to read and write English
• Not be disqualified to receive a commission under 29 Del. Code 4311(c)
• Not have been convicted of a felony unless your rights have been restored
• Not be convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude

Delaware does not require a training course or an exam for Notaries.

Delaware Notaries must authenticate all official acts with a black-inked rubber stamp or an embosser. The following information must be on the seal:

• Your name as it appears on your commission
• The words "My commission expires on _______ (date)"
• The words "Notary Public"
• The words "State of Delaware"

When shopping for seal stamps, quality and durability can vary greatly among vendors. Stamps should not bleed during or after use, as this can cause county officials to reject documents due to smudging.

A Notary journal is required by law for all Notaries. When purchasing a journal, there are a few important features to which you must pay close attention. A journal with numbered pages and tamper-proof sewn construction allows Notaries to identify missing pages in their journals, which becomes extremely helpful if you're ever named in a lawsuit. Simple notebooks or glue-bound journals simply do not offer the same level of security.

Supplies are sold by most vendors in packages, which can sometimes provide savings. However, not all vendor packages are created equal — they can vary greatly in terms of quality and content. If you are a new Notary or renewing your commission, the types and quantity of notarizations can require different tools of the trade.

The state of Delaware does not require Notaries to purchase a surety bond to protect document signers against financial losses. However, Notaries can insure themselves against possible legal costs or damages by purchasing a separate, optional errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy. Though not required by law, an E&O policy covers a Notary's legal fees and damages up to the amount of the policy.

The Delaware Office of Secretary of State, Notary Public Section, located in Dover, DE, issues Notary Public commissions.

Yes, provided you meet the other requirements listed previously.

A Delaware Notary can perform notarial acts anywhere within the state's borders.

Any member of the public, as long as the request meets all statutory requirements for notarization. The state prohibits notarizing any document in which you or your spouse have a financial gain or beneficial interest. The state also clarifies that a notarial act performed in violation of this subsection is voidable.

Delaware Secretary of State sets the maximum fee Notaries can charge at $5 per traditional notarial act and $25 per electronic notarizations.

If you move, you must update your Notary profile with your new address within 30 days of the change.

For name changes, you can perform notarizations by signing both your old and new names (e.g. "Jane A. Doe now known as Jane A. Smith") until your commission expires or you can update your Notary profile with your new name. Once the Notary Public Section receives notification of the change, it will send you a name change certificate by email at which point you'll be able to get a new stamp bearing your new name. There is no fee to change your name.

In addition to address and name changes, you're required to notify the Secretary of State of an email change. To do so, you must either call the Notary Public Section at 302-739-4111 and press 3 and press 3 or email notary@delaware.gov. Be prepared to answer basic questions about yourself and have your Notary Public ID on hand. The SOS will not request your profile password.

Approximately 30 days before your commission expires, you'll receive an email reminder to renew. Renewal applicants may apply for either a two-year term ($60 fee) or a four-year term ($90 fee). You may not renew more than 30 days before your commission expiration date.

Log into your Notary profile at the Secretary of State's website and click the "Renew Commission" link. Review and update your information as directed, then submit and pay for the renewal.

Electronic notarizations are in-person transactions that involve digital documents and electronic signatures. To become a DE electronic Notary, you must be a Notary in Delaware or applying for a commission. Current Notaries can request authorization and choose a technology provider by logging into their Notary Profile on the Secretary of State's website. If you aren't a currently commissioned DE Notary, you'll select "yes" when you're asked if you intend to perform electronic notarizations during the application process. Next, you'll choose a technology provider from the state's list of approved vendors and indicate how you will store your journal. You can keep either a paper or an electronic journal.

As of August 1, 2023, Delaware Notaries can register to perform remote online notarizations (RONs). Once you become a commissioned Notary Publicm follow the steps in this guide to become a DE remote online Notary.

If you're not quite ready yet, we have additional resources where you can learn what a Notary is, what they do and why you should become a commissioned Notary.